Brake Lights

[Steve Justice]

Hi,

I posted this in the 'Wheels, Tires, Brakes & Suspension' thread, but in retrospect I think it should go in here.

I was told yesterday that my brake lights were not working. The one at the top of my rear window is, but not the two regular brake lights. I have checked all the fuses and they are OK. I've checked the bulbs and connections and they're OK too. I've been told that it is a brake switch problem and that it needs replacing, but surely if that is the problem then the light at the top of the rear window wouldn't work either?

Can anyone shed any light on this at all? Would it be a brake switch problem? And if not, what are the other possible causes?

Thanks.

[petrified.rabbit]

check the bulbs and then check the wiring connections for signs of wear, than check the ground for the taillights, the center rear has a separate ground, so its potentially that.

[Steve Justice]

Thanks for your reply. Any idea where the ground is located.

Don't say on the floor.

[petrified.rabbit]

i believe it is along the body seam between the inner 1/4 and rear body panel, near the right taillight? but i might be off a little, or its the left, or both.

[Steve Justice]

Cheers. I'll check it out.

[thehunterooo]

I answered on the other thread already

But yeah, if all of the fuses checked out then it could be what rabbit said or there could be a short somewhere, etc...

[Thymeclock]

Before you do anything else, check the bulbs again. If I recall those bulbs are dual function and you need to do a continuity test for both contacts. My bulbs failed on my '09 in less than 10K miles. The OEM bulbs are really poor quality.

[Steve Justice]

For the sake of messing about, and the fact they're only a couple of quid, I'll pick up some new bulbs on the way home. Worst case scenario, I've got some spare bulbs.

Cheers guys, I've got some options to look into. If nothing works then I guess I'll have to book it in.

[Steve Justice]

It was the bulbs. Thanks again.

[Steve Justice]

Sorry to bump this thread, but another problem has emerged. My brake lights are working fine, until I turn on my main lights in which my brake lights then stay on permanently. I've also noticed that the lights on my radio dim when I apply the brake. Any ideas?